Friday, February 24, 2012

Yesterday it was in the 60's and today there is a strong wind and it was so cold it snowed briefly. Brr! I found myself looking longingly at my favorite spring/summer dress that is currently providing inspiration on my dressform 'Chloe.'

I was recently saddened by Emily Martin (Black Apple)'s decision to post on her blog that she's no longer interested in posting about fashion and sharing her unique clothing ideas. I was first drawn to her blog for her fashion posts and ended up going through all her past posts, too. It was rather inspiring and fun.

I understand that her interests have changed and she's very busy with her work, but I can't help feeling disappointed. So, I just thought I'd post about a pretty dress and try to keep my spirits up until the weather gets warm again...

The necklace is one of my favorites, a miniature working brass telescope. It reminds me of Jane Austen's Persuasion. I imagine Anne Elliot looking through it while waiting for her Captain Wentworth's ship to return.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I got an iPhone about a year and a half ago and I love it. I love the apps, the ease to text, the Internet access - everything. But I'm a retro gal - I like an old fashioned look. Even as a teen I hid my TV and stereo in my armoire so there was nothing modern sticking out in my room.

So last summer I found these cute covers for iPhones at Pottery Barn:

I hardly use it because I love using the phone so much, but it is nice to have, especially if I'm worried about scratching it in my purse, etc.

They are long gone from Pottery Barn now. They also had cute iPad covers with typewriters on them and iPod covers with little gramaphones on them. Very cute, but since I don't have those I didn't get them.

As I was searching I found this cool looking docking station they used to have:

Aww, isn't that cute? Not available at the stores anymore, but probably they have them on Ebay.

And I'd love to get an iPad someday, if I did I'd probably get something like this to store them in:

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Not everyone likes or enjoys Valentine's Day and mine is kind of a bummer this year, but I saw this posted on my Facebook and decided to share it since it made me feel a bit better.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.3. Life is too short – enjoy it.4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends andfamily will.5. Pay off your credit cards every month.6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye But don't worry; God never blinks.16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.19. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don'tsave it for a special occasion. Today is special.22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.24. The most important sex organ is the brain.25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'27. Always choose life.28. Forgive but don’t forget.29. What other people think of you is none of your business.30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.33. Believe in miracles.34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.37. Your children get only one childhood.38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'dgrab ours back.41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need..42. The best is yet to come...43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.44. Yield.45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Monday, February 13, 2012

There's nothing like a hot bowl of soup when it is freezing outside so I decided to make on of my favorite types of soup last week. I usually only get to eat Loaded Baked Potato soup if I go out to eat, but I wanted to try to make it myself this time and it came out delicious!

I mostly followed a recipe I found online, but I did alter it a bit to thicken and also lower the calories a bit. So I swapped 2% milk for heavy cream and added some instant mashed potatoes when it seemed just a little too thin. But here is the basic recipe:

In a pot put about four cups of chicken broth. (Homemade stock or chicken stock from a can).

Skin and cut 6 medium sized potatoes into 1-2" cubes. Cut 1 medium or large onion and add to potBoil with 2 tablespoons butter.When potatoes are thoroughly cooked mash potatoes to preference (I accidentally mashed all of them and wished I'd left some chunks in it - some like soup chunky and some smooth)

Add 1 cup milk (or cream if you wish it to be thicker)

1-2 cups shredded mild cheddar

Season with salt and pepper to taste

Optional: add some sour cream to help thicken and make richer)Also Optional: add instant mashed potatoes until soup is consistency you like.

Garnish with chopped bacon, shredded cheese and/or green onions.

There you have it - super easy, quick and simple. I had all of the ingredients in my kitchen and it is a hearty yummy soup to have on a cold winter's day.